A Month in Pictures: October

In no particular order....

Supper Round-Up

This cooler weather does not make me feel like exercising.  It makes me crave heavy rich foods.  And my menu planning for the week is pure evidence of that.  

I guess portion control will be friend this week.  :)

1.  French Toast Roll-Ups.  I'm all about breakfast for supper, and this seems like a fun twist on classic french toast.  I think I'm going to use Greek Cream Cheese for the stuffing along with some fruit.
2.  French Bread Pizza.  Pepperoni for the kids and Chicken Pesto for Ryan and I.
3.  Oven Baked Meatball Subs
4.  Manicotti.  My sister in law gave me a great recipe for manicotti when Ryan and I first got married, and its pretty much my go to for classic manicotti.
5.  Spaghetti and Meatball Soup.  This is delicious.  And if you can pull off a lie to the kids that those "stringy things" are overcooked noodles and not zucchini, they'll eat it like champs!!  {even if they think you are a terrible cook for overdone noodles}
6.  Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes.  Straight up, no cooked sauce meatloaf.  Just the way I like it!

Sunday Evening Menu Planning

It was one of those weekends where I just wasn't sure if we were going to make it out without a major illness.  I was battling being sick the last half of the week and Saturday Henry joined in.  I think *fingers crossed* he's okay now...although he and Annika are getting along better than normal [maybe I should be worried.]

Otherwise the kids and I enjoyed a quiet weekend.  It was such a perfect fall weekend.  The corn is being combined, the air is chilly and damp.  And my belly is full chai tea.  :)  Fall is officially here!!

Here's what's on the menu this week:

Sunday:  Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas.  I based it off this recipe from The Pioneer Woman.  I added shredded chicken and used greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Monday:  Steak 'n Shake copy cat burgers - loosely based on this recipe by Jam Hands
Tuesday:  Chicken Alfredo using this Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce from Pinch of Yum
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday [kids choice]:  Twisted Pizza Sticks
Friday:  We have pictures for the church directory, so I think we'll head out for supper when we are done with pictures.

I've been doing the SheReadsTruth study on James, which also happens to be the subject of the bible study I picked up recently by Beth Moore.  Do you think God has something he wants me to pick up on in the book of James perhaps?

Have a great week!

Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa

I promised this recipe a long time ago, and here it finally is.

 

 

This is a great week day breakfast when you prepare it ahead of time.  Split the quinoa between pint size jars and put them in the fridge for a grab and go breakfast.  This is chock full of protein and while I'm usually hungry again by 10 AM, this kept me full long past lunchtime.

 

 

Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa

4 servings

 

1 c. quinoa

2 c. water

1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
4 Tbsp. plain greek yogurt
4 Tbsp. dried cranberries
4 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

Prepare quinoa with water and salt as directed.
While still warm, stir in pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
Top each serving with 1 tablespoon each yogurt, pecans and cranberries.

My Life in a Menu

First quarter is coming to a close...

Ryan is home from Montana...

And I am back in menu planning mode.  This grocery is bill is getting out of hand!  

So this week is about working to use up what's in the freezer and fridge before heading back out to the store.  

Monday:  Baked Potato Bar

Tuesday:  Soup and Grilled Cheese (using this potato bread recipe)

Wednesday:  Fish and rice (Potato crusted filets for Ryan and I and fish sticks for the kids)

Thursday:  Leftovers

Friday:  Chicken Parmesan Meatballs from SkinnyMom

Stay tuned for a great make ahead breakfast option...perfect for the cray fall mornings.  

Back to School

This day sneaks up on my every year.  I guess its just part of the deal.  

 How can it be that this little man has now completed his first day of Kindergarten? The day started with Henry's observation of all the crying moms leaving the building.

Henry:  "Mom, why are all those other moms crying?"
Me:  "This is a hard day for us moms.  Leaving our kids at Kindergarten for the first time...its a big deal."
Henry:  "Well that's dumb.  You guys aren't even the ones going to Kindergarten."

Yep...that's my Henry.

And here is how the school day ended:

Me:  "How was school?"

Henry:  "Fine."

Me:  "Did you meet any new friends?"

Henry:  "No."

Me:  "Well, who did you play with?"  

Henry:  "No one."

Me:  "What do you mean no one? You were by yourself all day?"  

Henry:  "No, but I didn't play with them."

Okay then...moving on.

Annika was thrilled to be the big dog in the building.  The bus couldn't come soon enough.

Her day ended like this:

Me:  "So how was your first day?"

Annika:  "It was awesome...Mrs. Stamper is so funny...I played with Gabbi all day...We get to have random grandparents days...I asked Mrs. Stamper if one was coming soon and she said maybe...Lunch was gross, but its okay because tomorrow its spaghetti which I love and Friday is pizza but Thursday is chicken fajita so I can I bring a lunch?"

Me:  "Umm...yes you can.  Do you breath at all during school?"

Annika:  "Yea why?

Me:  "Cause I don't think you have since I asked how your day was."

Annika:  "Well you asked, Mom."

She's right I sure did.  

Our experience will be quite different with these two.  While I know every detail of Annika's day {down to which pencil she used during journal time}, I'm not even sure Henry was actually in the building for the whole day!  I guess I'm going to have to send out some spies to see what he's up to during the day.  

Annika turns 8!

You know those people in your life who you can say, "Hey don't let me forgot {insert reminder}"...that used to be me.  Until eight years ago.  I'm not sure what happened after that...but parenthood completely changed it all.  I can hardly remember what I walk into a room for anymore.

 I really had no idea what I was in for when I was holding that miniature person 8 years ago.  NONE!  She came into this world a fighter...and she hasn't stopped since.

She is sweet and sassy all at once.  Intelligent, inquisitive...beyond her years in wisdom.  And in a split second all of 8 years old again.

She keeps me on my toes and keeps me in line when my actions don't match my words.  {I tried the whole, "Do as I say not as I do."  She didn't fall for that.  

She questions authority but is learning when to back down.  She is a caretaker but needs lots of love on her; a giver but will take in an instant if offered; a lover but not a cuddle-er.

I may not remember the details of the last 8 years, but I do know that my Annika is one amazing young lady.  And I cannot wait to see all that God has in store for her.

Happy Birthday Annika Lynn!

   1. What is your favorite color?  Green
   2. What is your favorite toy?  Lego friends
   3. What is your favorite fruit?  Pineapple
   4. What is your favorite tv show?  Sam & Cat
   5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Bologna sandwich
   6. What is your favorite outfit?  Shorts and a t-shirt
   7. What is your favorite game?  Monopoly
   8. What is your favorite snack?  Crackers
   9. What is your favorite animal?  Snowball
   10. What is your favorite song?  I'm Going To Get You

   11. What is your favorite book?  June B. Jones
   12. Who is your best friend?  Jorja
   13. What is your favorite cereal?  Craves
   14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Jump on the trampoline and ride my bike
   15. What is your favorite drink?  Water
   16. What is your favorite holiday?  Valentines Day
   17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  A book
   18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Toast
   19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Happy Joes 
   20.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  A chef

   {My apologies for the self-portrait-ness of this picture.  We haven't taught Maggie how to use the camera yet. :)}